Nobody is Truly Alone

Jared

As the next few weeks went by, I definitely have to admit I questioned my life choices. Moving to California had seemed like such a grand idea at the time, but now, it just felt like everything to do had been done. The beach. The ocean. The dog park. The museums. The regular parks. The theme parks. I had done it all, and didn't know what to do next.

         One thing that I definitely noticed about California is that there are Farmers Markets everywhere.  I had gone to a few, but didn't really buy much other than watermelon, because, let's face it, watermelon is delicious. 

        At one point in late August I went to a Farmers Market in Lone Beach, and I took Leo with me. This market wasn't any more or less special than any of the other ones, ( how special can a farmers market get? Honestly?)  and towards the end of my visit I sat down on the beach and let Leo play in the ocean.  I was sitting in the sand, spacing out when a guy about my age casually came up beside me.

     "This spot taken?" He asked, gesturing to the sand beside me.

     "What... oh, no. Go ahead." I laughed a little, embarrassed that I wasn't paying attention. I scooted over so he could sit down; my brain obviously didn't register the fact that he had the whole rest of the beach to sit on.

    "Nice dog you got there. What's his name?"  He questioned

     "Leo. I got him from the shelter not too long ago." As I said this I made eye contact with the guy and we both just kind of sat there for a second, looking at each other. He inhaled deeply, and nervously looked away and then exhaled.

       "Anyways... my name is... um... oh um my name's Jared." He stuck out his hand and I shook it.

        "It's... it's very nice to meet you, Jared." I said with a genuine smile.  I started to notice his grey eyes. They were grey like a cloudy sky on a rainy day— but they kind of rainy day where you sit home and read a good book and watch a good but yet sad movie,  like Marley and Me.  His eyes really complimented his dark-skinned complexion.  He had black square-ish glasses with a curve that defined his eyebrows. (which by the way are way better than mine.)

      Jared stood up as Leo came over to say hi to the newcomer, and rapidly licked his cheek. He obviously liked Jared.

     I was starting to think that I did too.

     We sat there for at least a half an hour and played with Leo, and made stupid small talk, including subjects like weather, traffic, and whether or not you should eat the black watermelon seeds.  Both of us were obviously socially awkward and didn't think about the stupid things we said before we said them.

    "I should get going- I have an interview I need to get to. It was nice meeting you-"

     "Katie."

    "Katie. I like it. I hope I see you around, Katie." He started to turn and walk away, putting his thumbs in his front pockets, seeming content. He only got to the sidewalk before I stopped him.

     "Hey, Jared!" I shouted to get his attention. He turned around, looking at me with a hopeful look on his face. "Do you think... do you think we could get coffee sometime?" I asked boldly.

      He laughed. "Yeah, I would love that. Do you think... Tuesday, 1:00 would work? Maybe at the shop down off of Cleveland and Civic?"

        "Perfect. One more thing...". I rustled through my bag and found a pen. Carefully grasping his hand, I wrote my phone number in his palm.  "Call me." I smiled.

      He inspected my work and then looked up at me and grinned. "No problem."